SLE370 - Evolution
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Matthew Symonds |
| Prerequisite: | One of SLE237, SLE204, SLE205 or SLE254 plus one other level 2 SLE-coded unit |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning including 1 x 2 hour online lecture and 1 x 2 hour online seminar per week. An on-campus option is provided for the weekly seminar. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit covers the broad scope of evolutionary theory, and the evidence for evolution, addressing the major mechanisms of evolutionary change including natural selection and genetic drift. It will cover mutation and evolution at the genetic level; adaptation; sexual selection; the evolution of sex and social behaviour; speciation and biodiversity; the ecological causes of evolutionary change; reconstruction and the use of evolutionary trees; the major transitions in evolutionary history; and the evolution of humans. In addition to its central role in biology, the unit will address the implications of evolutionary theory to fields such as ecology, conservation; medicine, philosophy psychology and education.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Identify and describe the mechanisms of evolution such as natural selection, sexual selection, adaptation and speciation that explain how the characteristics and behaviour of organisms have arisen through evolutionary processes. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Recognise the importance of mutation and genetic variation and the genetic processes that are involved in evolution. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Recall, analyse and interpret the current evidence concerning the origins of major groups of organisms on earth including humans. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Discuss critically and informatively, current controversies and research directions in the field of evolutionary biology. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Devise experiments or other analytical approaches that would scientifically test evolutionary theory and hypotheses. | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO6 | Apply knowledge of evolution to the analysis of biological and philosophical issues. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Written assignment, approximately 1,000 words | 25% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2 | Written assignment, approximately 1,000 words | 25% | Week 9 |
| Assessment 3 | 5-minute PowerPoint presentation | 10% | Week 10 or 11 |
| End-of-Unit Assessment | Timed online test | 40% | End-of-Unit Assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE370 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.